<p>VII.</p>
<p>MOST people use names in place of arguments. They are satisfied to be
disciples, followers of the illustrious dead. Each church, each party has
a list of "great men," and they throw the names of these men at each other
when discussing their dogmas and creeds.</p>
<p>Men prove the inspiration of the Bible, the divinity of Christ by the
admissions of soldiers, statesmen and kings. And in the same way they
establish the existence of heaven and hell. Dispute one of their dogmas
and you will instantly be told that Isaac Newton or Matthew Hale was on
the other side, and you will be asked whether you claim to be superior to
Newton or Hale. In our own country the ministers, to establish their
absurdities, quote the opinions of Webster and of other successful
politicians as though such opinions were demonstrations.</p>
<p>Most Protestants will cheerfully admit that they are inferior in brain and
genius to some men who have lived and died in the Catholic faith; that in
the matter of preaching funeral sermons they are not equal to Bossuet;
that their letters are not as interesting and polished as those written by
Pascal; that Torquemada excelled them in the genius of organization, and
that for planning a massacre they would not for a moment claim the palm
from Catherine de Medici, and yet after these admissions, these same
Protestants would insist that the Pope is an unblushing impostor, and the
Catholic Church a vampire.</p>
<p>The so-called "great men" of the world have been mistaken in many things.
Lord Bacon denied the Copernican system of astronomy and believed to the
day of his death that the sun and stars journeyed about this little earth.
Matthew Hale was a firm believer in the existence of witches and wizards.
John Wesley believed that earthquakes were caused by sin and that they
could be prevented by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. John Calvin
regarded murder as one of the means to preserve the purity of the gospel.
Martin Luther denounced Galileo as a fool because he was opposed to the
astronomy of Moses. Webster was in favor of the Fugitive Slave Law and
held the book of Job in high esteem. He wanted votes and he knelt to the
South. He wanted votes and he flattered the church.</p>
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